Howard County School ‘shooting victims’ lied
Today the paper ran a story I wrote about two 11-year-old Howard County boys whom alleged that they were shot by pellets on their way to school last week.
Police now say that the two lied.
At this point police do not know what prompted the two to fabricate the incidents. In addition, no charges have been filed against either youth.
What kind of punishment – if any -- do these two deserve?
The police department used a helicopter and its K-9 units to search for the suspect that the two boys lied about. In addition, the accusations caused a panic in the area. One school held indoor recess. Many said that the incidents reminded them of the sniper attacks of October 2002.
Should the two have to pay the police department for the time and resources spent on these false claims? You decide.
Categories: Howard County, School Safety (Or Lack Thereof)
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
Mr. Williams,
I read about this story the day after my daughter came home from school telling me how two hispanic men had either a bb gun or a pellet gun and shot some of her classmates as they got off the MTA bus line 13. I read the story because I thought it was about them but found out that it wasn't even in the city.
Now to find out that the story that was covered was a hoax and a true story was never reported is very distressing. When the children got to school, they told the teacher and the principal and the police were called. Although to children had visible signs of being struck by either bb's or pellets, they were ok.
I just felt the need to comment about this.
Thank you for your time.
Lisa Stant
Posted by: Lisa Stant | October 10, 2007 3:53 PM
Expulsion and paying the police department are the only justifiable means of punishment. I don't know what would prompt these children to make up such a malicious lie but they need to be punished for their crime and that's exactly what this is. When are we going to wake up as a society and stop treating these acts as nothing? The lesson has to be learned somewhere and these two children are the perfect example. You let these two off the hook will only show others that they can do the same without any recourse.
Posted by: Nazma Khan-Edwards | October 10, 2007 3:57 PM